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As the sun rises and falls on the Connecticut River Valley, its rays streak across the trellised vineyards of Arrigoni Winery. The winery creates a variety of crisp whites and luscious reds, both characterized by their soft, approachable fruit flavors. In addition to these traditional offerings, the vintner also makes wines blended from orchard-fresh apples, tart cranberries, and even maple syrup. After enjoying a glass of wine on the scenic outdoor patio, visitors are encouraged to peruse the onsite gift shop’s collection of Yankee Candles, wine-themed presents, and baby photos of budding grape clusters.

For more than 90 years, the same soft morning sunlight has poured over the fields of yellow sunflowers, tasseled stalks of sweet corn, and rows of grapevines growing at Rosedale Farms Winery. In that span of time, five generations of Rosedales have tended to the farm’s fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers, sharing them with the Simsbury community and even earning a nod in the Washington Post.
It wasn’t until 2005, however, that the family produced its first vintage from its 4-acre vineyard of French hybrid grapes. Since then, the winery’s estate-grown vintages have earned several awards, including a double gold at the 2010 Vineyard & Winery International Eastern Wine Competition. Today, at the winery’s onsite bar, staff members pour samples of varieties such as the Simsbury Celebration, which distinguishes itself with a creamy structure, mineral overtones, and a penchant for hiding beneath lampshades.
Additional events include fall farm fests that include free hayrides and corn mazes. Partnering with the Max Restaurant Group, Rosedale Farms Winery also features chef-to-farm dinners, during which chefs prepare four- to six-course banquets using ingredients plucked straight from the fields.

Located in the quaint town of Wallingford, Connecticut, The Crush Club gives visitors the opportunity to make their own wine. Grapes are sourced from across the globe—from Chile during the spring and from California, Washington, and Italy during the fall. Over the course of a year, students crush and press grapes, clean their barrels, then bottle, cork, and custom label the resulting wine before taking it home with them. During blending experience classes, participants taste five different wines, learn about the winemaking process, and experiment to create their own blend, custom labeling and bringing home one 750mL bottle.

Since opening in 1975, Haight-Brown Vineyard has churned out 2,000 cases of grape-based libations each year from its nearly 10-acre vineyard and welcomed visitors into its rustic, cottage-like wine house. Emphasizing vinifera and French hybrid grapes, the state’s first-established winery creates a selection of wines that include the Big Red, a bold syrah; the Morning Harvest, a rich malbec; and Honey Nut Apple, a traditional apple wine that incorporates local honey and cinnamon. Vintners share their time-tested expertise during regular classes that teach aspiring oenophiles about a variety of vintages and techniques for cheese and chocolate pairing. Amid the tasting room’s wood accents and crackling stone fireplace, customers sample vintages and attempt to describe taste sensations with adjectives such as “silky” or “very different from milk.”

Can you detect the amazing flavorful notes at Hogans Cider Mill's winery in Burlington?
While you're enjoying this course, be sure to check out their amazing restaurant for a tasty meal.
Bring the whole clan to this course — kids and parents will love the ambience here.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

As a boy, Manny Miranda participated in father-son bonding activities that were a lot cooler than catch. He worked alongside his father and grandfather at their family's winery in Portugal, where he busied himself each Autumn crushing and pressing the grapes, then preparing and casking the juices that would transform into wine.
As an adult, he hoped to recreate the verdant hills of Portugal in the states. That dream led to Miranda Vineyard, where Manny worked with his own sons to perfect the old-world techniques he remembered from his childhood. The vineyard is now the birthplace of hand-crafted and complex wines, from the bright, summery rosé to the lush, full-bodied farmhouse wine. What's more, every single varietal in the Miranda Vineyard family boasts at least one award, and many can lay claim to three or more.

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Maybe you think wine is too bland or simply too expensive. That’s OK, because some of it is. But Tracy Kellner, co-owner of Chicago’s Provenance Food & Wine, knows that’s only some wine. “There’s a lot of really good wine out there,” she said.You may have found wine that is too bitter or too sweet, but there are plenty of other bottles out there, including wine for people who don't like wine, and Kellner was happy to suggest a few.Too Sweet
If left unchecked, sugars left over from the fermentation process can make wines cloying; however, very ripe grapes’ bold fruit flavors can also create a jammy taste and mouthfeel.
For those averse to overly fruit-forward wines, Kellner recommended trying bottles from cooler climates, such as northern France or Oregon, or asking for an Old World–style wine. The latter generally features more pronounced acidity and earthy notes as opposed to juice-like fruitiness.
Too DryBracing acidity and hints of tobacco or leather aren’t always appealing, though. In that case, moscato d’asti and sweeter rieslings are solid standby whites for everyday sipping.
Kellner also suggested trying wines from warmer regions, such as Sicilian nero d’avola, Australian shiraz, and certain Californian reds. Expect to taste dark berries, plums, and maybe even a bit of sweetness from the relatively high alcohol content in these bottles.
Too BitterDuring the red-winemaking process in particular, juice can remain in extended contact with grape skins and oak barrels—both sources of tannins. A tannic wine can possess a distinctly bitter flavor, which may be unmistakable but is far from universally loved.
Kellner had a few suggestions for sidestepping the bitter taste. First, try red wines made from thin-skinned grapes, such as grenache or pinot noir.
Additionally, tannins’ harsh taste softens with time, and oxygen smoothes wines’ rough edges. Uncork a bottle 60 minutes before you drink it and observe the difference.
Too WeakBefore writing them off entirely, try thin-tasting wines with food. The same subtle flavors that can seem bland on their own often complement meals. Kellner suggested thinking of these varieties as “the salt and pepper of wine.”
Wines with enough heft and substance to stand alone are often made from grapes grown in warmer regions.
Look for reds from Portugal or the southern Rhône valley. And, despite the seemingly ubiquitousness of light white wines, there are also full-bodied options. For example, oak-aged chardonnay can have buttery, toasty qualities, and grapes such as viognier and roussanne lend white wines fleshy peach or apricot flavors rather than tart, citrus ones.
Too Expensive
“You can find value wherever you look,” Kellner said.
So don’t be afraid to be upfront about how much you’re willing to spend. When chatting with wine-store employees, tell them your price limit and what you’ve enjoyed in the past. Most importantly, let them know what you haven’t enjoyed.
“Form a friendship with someone who works there,” Kellner said. “Find someone who knows what you like and will remember what you bought last time.”
Photo by Andrew Nawrocki, GrouponOnce you find your favorite varietal, get into specifics with these articles:Can You Name All Five Pinot Grapes?The Surprisingly Dangerous World of Wine Fraud

The higher the mercury gets, the better a glass of crisp and refreshing white wine starts to sound. With the hottest months still yet to come, prepare by finding your favorite bottle of the wine that is seemingly made for summer: vinho verde.In 2012, the United States imported more than three times as much vinho verde as it had one decade earlier, the New York Times reported. This is a trend that is absolutely worth continuing.Here is a quick introduction to this trending white wine.Where is it from?Vinho verde hails from the far northwestern corner of Portugal. This relatively cool and rainy region is an agricultural haven within the country, complete with sprawling expanses of crops and lush greenery. Although the area also produces reds and rosés, it’s the white wines that are easiest to find and are ideal for summertime sipping.What does the name mean?Vinho verde translates to “green wine.” This isn’t a reference to its color, though. Instead, it refers to the wine’s youth. These wines are meant to be enjoyed while they are still young, when their natural acidity is at its most vibrant.What grapes are used to make it?The region’s winemaking regulations allow as many as 25 different grapes to be used to make white vinho verde. However, the most renowned wines tend to be dominated by four varietals: alvarinho, trajadura, loureiro, and pedernã.What does it taste like?Vinho verde typically features delicate flavors that may include light citrus, floral notes, and hints of minerality. Bright acidity is exceedingly common throughout all vinho verdes—including the reds and rosés—which means that the whites pair well with a wide range of foods, especially lighter fare. As an added bonus, the winemakers typically inject a bit of carbon dioxide into the wine immediately before bottling. This gives vinho verde the slightest bit of effervescent sparkle, but not nearly enough to qualify it as a sparkling wine.Why is it perfect for summer?In addition to being endlessly refreshing, vinho verde is perfect for sharing with friends on a hot day for one fantastic reason: It is very affordable. Finding a worthwhile bottle for less than $10 shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.Photo by Andrew Nawrocki, GrouponShop Groupon for wine-tasting deals.Read more tips, tricks, and stories about wine on the Guide.A Wine Aroma WheelDo you detect notes of plums? Strawberries? Horse blanket or grandma's dentures? Our handy chart helps you and your nose be wine-tasting pros.Merlot, Give It a ChanceDon’t believe everything you see in the movies. Learn more about the history, the disposition, and the global varieties of a grape that went from king to punching bag.Wine Tasting 101Don’t be intimidated by the lists and the unwritten protocols of tasting rooms. Here are six useful tips that will help you look like a seasoned veteran.$32,000 for 9 Liters of Wine at the Hart Davis Hart Wine AuctionOne of the world’s most famous wine auctions, Hart Davis Hart is also perhaps Chicago's most elite drinking club. Our writer was in attendance. He wore a suit.

When you're at a wine tasting, it can be difficult to detect the individual aromas pouring forth from a wine's bouquet. Enter our handy wine aroma wheel. With its help you will never lack the vocabulary to poetically describe a wine's natural, fruity, or oaky flavors.Illustration by Grey Blake, GrouponRead more tips, tricks, and stories about wine:Merlot, Give It a ChanceDon’t believe everything you see in the movies. Learn more about the history, the disposition, and the global varieties of a grape that went from king to punching bag.Wine Tasting 101Don’t be intimidated by the lists and the unwritten protocols of tasting rooms. Here are six useful tips that will help you look like a seasoned veteran.$32,000 for 9 Liters of Wine at the Hart Davis Hart Wine AuctionOne of the world’s most famous wine auctions, Hart Davis Hart is also perhaps Chicago's most elite drinking club. Our writer was in attendance. He wore a suit.